The loss of Terrell Suggs to a torn Achilles is a big blow to the Baltimore Ravens. Suggs is the heart and soul of the defense and the Ravens will miss his leadership. The loss of Suggs also hurts the Ravens' depth at outside linebacker. The team still has Elvis Dumervil and Courtney Upshaw as potential starters, but rookie Za'Darius Smith is the only other 3-4 OLB on the 53-man roster. With Suggs done for the season, the Ravens need to add another pass rusher. The options aren't great and many of the free agents don't fit the Ravens 3-4 scheme. However, here are five players the Ravens could sign to replace Suggs.
5. Mathias Kiwanuka
Kiwanuka was cut by the Giants at the end of last season and hasn't found an NFL team since. He struggled when the Giants asked him to be a 4-3 OLB, but could find success again as a 3-4 pass rusher. As with many of the veterans on the list, the Ravens would only need him to contribute on a limited number of snaps each game.
4. Shaun Phillips
Phillips last played for the Indianapolis Colts, where he was a stop-gap measure last season. He can serve the same role this season for the Ravens.
3. Quentin Groves
Only recently cut by the Buffalo Bills, Groves still has something left in his tank. He's only 31 and can offer the Ravens depth as a situational pass rusher. He's younger than most of the proven players left on the market.
2. Brennen Beyer
Beyer is the only OLB on the Ravens practice squad. An undrafted free agent out of Michigan, Beyer made the move from DE to OLB. He's got potential, but missed out on making the final roster for a reason. If Baltimore doesn't want to add a veteran, Beyer is the obvious option.
1. Dwight Freeney
Freeney is still looking to continue his NFL career and playing for a contender like the Ravens should intrigue him. He's not the same player he once was, but the 35-year old Freeney can still play. Signing Freeney would be a smart move by the Ravens.
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